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NBA ref sues AP, sports writer over Twitter post

An NBA referee has sued The Associated Press and one of its sports writers over a Twitter message suggesting he intentionally made a bad call to make up for a previous bad call that went against the Minnesota Timberwolves.Air Jordan 2011 - Black Red White In a federal lawsuit filed Monday in Minneapolis, veteran NBA referee William Spooner claimed AP sports writer Jon Krawczynski defamed him in the Twitter message, sent while he was covering the Jan. 24 Rockets-Timberwolves game.In the second period, Spooner called a foul against a Timberwolves player.According to Spooner's lawsuit, Wolves coach Kurt Rambis argued the call and Spooner told him he would review it at halftime. Rambis said that was fine, but asked how he was supposed to get the points back, according to the lawsuit.Air Jordan 2011 - Black Blue White Spooner says in the lawsuit that he didn't respond to Rambis. But Krawczynski, seated courtside, posted a tweet that said, "Ref Bill Spooner told Rambis he'd 'get it back' after a bad call.Then he made an even worse call on Rockets. That's NBA officiating folks."The Rockets went on to win the game 129-125.Spooner claims the Twitter message led to a disciplinary investigation by the NBA and that his professional reputation has been hurt.Air Jordan 2011 - BlackSpooner has asked the court for damages of more than $75,000 plus a court order to remove the statement from Krawczynski's Internet postings.AP attorney Dave Tomlin said, "We believe all the facts we reported in our coverage of that game, in all media, were accurate."A hearing date has not been set.The NBA issued the following statement in regards to Spooner's suit: "We investigated the content of the tweet when it appeared, found it to be without substance, and informed Mr. Spooner that we considered the matter closed.Air Jordan 2011 - White Black/Anthacite We subsequently advised Mr. Spooner's lawyer that we did not think suing a journalist over an incorrect tweet would be productive. Nevertheless, Mr. Spooner and his lawyer decided to commence this litigation and any future inquiries should be directed to Mr. Spooner's lawyer."Nets send Uzoh to NBA D-League; Lefton promoted:The New Jersey Nets have assigned rookie point guard Ben Uzoh to their D-League affiliate, the Springfield Armor.Nets General Manager Billy King announced the move on Tuesday.Air Jordan 2011 Signed as a free agent, Uzoh played 32 games with the Nets, averaging 3.4 points and 1.4 assists.The Nets also named Dan Lefton as their executive director of ticket sales at the their new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. He will oversee ticket sales efforts, which will launch in the spring of 2011.The team plans to relocate to Brooklyn for the 2012-13 season.